Hydraulic valve lifter



Sept. 7, 1954 c. VOORHIES ETAL HYDRAULIC VALVE LIFTER Filed May 7, 1952 c I 2%? W07" ei ferD C Jf/orvg's Patented Sept. 7, 1954 2,688,318 HYDRAULIC VALVE LIFTER dge, and Webster D. Corsaid Corlett assignor to Carl Voorhies, Park Ri lett, River Forest, Ill

Standard Screw Comp corporation of New Jer any, Hartford, 001111., a soy Application May 7, 1952, Serial No. 286,484

Claims.

This invention relates to a hydraulic valve lifter or tappet.

It has for one object to provide a valve lifter of the hydraulic type and to provide means for making it efiectively and economically, and of light weight.

Another object is to provide a method for making a valve lifter of the type indicated.

Another object is to provide a valve lifter in which proper operation of the parts and proper realtive movement of the parts is assured and in particular to provide a hydraulic valve lifter so arranged that the flow of free fluid within the valve lifter or tappet is accurate andcertain and to accomplish this purpose with a relatively inexpensive and light-weight device.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through one form of the device, with the device in place in an engine;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional detail taken at line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional detail taken at line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section showing a modified form of the invention.

Like parts are designated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

As shown on the drawings, Figs. 1 and 4 indicate the tappet or valve lifter as positioned in a cylinder block I of an engine which may be apertured to receive the valve tappets or lifter, and a liner 2 maybe provided if desired. The invention is, in no sense, limited to a particular engine block or other guiding and supporting means, and the showing of Figs. 1 and 4 is intended merely to indicate generally that the device of the present invention is intended to be positioned within aspace in which it may be properly supported-and within which itmay reciprocate.

In the forms shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the tappet comprises generally a cylindrical portion 3 which is closed at one end as at l. This end may be called the working face of the tappet and l is normally positioned to be contacted by acam icarried on a cam shaft 6. Rotation of the cam shaft raises the tappet by the action of the cam and the tappet is returned by a spring or other means not shown. In this normal operation, a tappet is positioned so that it is retained in contact with the cam face of the cam 5.

The liner 2 may be provided with a recess 1 on its exterior, and an oil duct or passage 8 communicates with the recess 1. A perforation 9 is provided. It passes through the liner 2. The barrel or cylindrical portion 3 of the tappet is provided on its exterior with a groove or depression In which, in certain positions of movement of the tappet, is brought into line with the opening 9 thru the liner 2. A perforation or passage 1 I leads from the groove Ill to the interior of the barrel or cylindrical part 3.

The inner face of the head portion 4 is shaped to provide a shoulder l2 and a depression l3. Astop member I .4, which is of annual or ring-like shape, is seated upon the shoulder l2. A spring 15 is positioned Within the barrel 3 and one end of the spring is positioned within the depression 13. At its upper end, the spring I5 is seated within the hollow portion lfiof a cup-like member which serves as a ring retainer. This member is provided with a laterally directed flange H which conforms generally to the interior diameter of the barrel 3. The edges of the flange are in con tact with the inner surface of the barrel 3. The portion it of the retaining member is perforated as at l8 and a groove or depression Ill extends from the perforation Ill to the edge of the portion It. Thus a free passage for fluid thru the penforation [8 in either direction is provided.

Two controlling rings are provided above the flange I! and generally about the portion It. These rings are preferably formed of metal and comprise a ring 20 and a second ring 2|. The ring 2| is of slightly less thickness than the ring 20 and the two rings are generally of the same outside diameter. They are spring rings. are not endless and they tend to fit smoothly against the inner surface of the cylinder or barrel 3.

A disc-like ring seat member 22 is positioned above the ring 2| and in contact with the upper surface of that ring. This member is generally fiat on its top and bottom surfaces and is provided with notches 23 which are flared at their upper portions as at 24. Except for this notch construction, the member 22 is of circular plan and fits equally against the inner surface of the barrel 3.

A plunger 25 is provided with a skirt portion as shown and with a head portion 26 which has formed in its outer or upper surface a generally hemispherical depression 21. A perforation 28 is formed in the depression. The outside of the plunger is shaped .to provide an annular depression or groove 29 and one or more perforations 30 extend from the annular groove 29 to the interior of the plunger 25. A push rod 3| having a rounded or spherical contacting portion 32 extends thru the block I and inside of the upper or open end of the tappet and the rounded portion 32 is seated in the depression 21.

A snap ring 33 is shaped as shown generally in Fig. 2 and is received and retained within a groove 34 in the upper portion of the interior face of the barrel 3.

The ring retainer formed of the portion l6, l1 and the plunger 25 are preferably formed of sheet metal and are stamped or drawn into shape. This means of manufacturing these parts results in an economy when compared to the cost of manufacturing these parts by other methods such as forging, machining and other more cumbersome manufacturing procedures.

In the modified form, the tappet is seated in a structure comprising a cylinder similar to block I with a liner 2, if desired, but the oil duct 8 and the oil which enters the tappet body enters from above rather than thru the wall of the member within which the tappet is mounted for reciprocation. The top of the modified form comprises a cylindrical barrel portion 35 with a closed end 36 which is provided with a shoulder 31 and a depression 38. These are identical with the depressions l2 and I3 of the earlier form of the device. A ring 39 is seated against the shoulder 38. A spring 46 is positioned at one end in the depression 38 and the other end of the spring is fitted within the hollow portion 4| of a ring retainer which includes an annularly directed flange 42. The member 4! is perforated as at 43 and is provided with a groove or depression 44 extending from the perforation 43 to the edge of the portion 41. These parts are all substantially the same as the corresponding parts shown and described in connection with the form of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Controlling rings 45 and 46 are positioned within the barrel portion 35 and bear against the inner surface of that member. A plunger 41, which is preferably formed by stamping from sheet metal, is positioned for reciprocation Within the barrel 35. It is provided with a closed end 48 which is preferably integral with the portion 41. The member 4'! is open at its opposite end. It is of reduced diameter throughout a portion of the lower end as at 49 and a perforation 50 extends through the wall of the member 41 and communicates with the reduced portion 43.

A plunger cap is positioned to overlie and close the open end of the plunger 41. It is shaped with a generally hemispherical depression 52 and is provided with one or more perforations or passages 53 which extend through it. A snap ring 54 which is received in a groove 55 on the inner face of the member 35 prevents dislocation and displacement of the parts, but permits the relative movement of the parts which is desired. A push rod 56 is provided with a rounded or generally spherical enlargement 51 which fits into the depression 52.

The method of construction of the form of Fig. 4 is substantially the same as that of the form of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The parts are made of metal. The split rings 20, 2 I, 45 and 46 are metal rings of spring form and they tend to move to spring outwardly into closed contact with the inner surfaces of the barrel portions of the tappets in which they are placed. The rings are also provided with fiat surfaces. In the first form of the device, the member 22, which is separate from and movable with respect to the plunger 25, serves as a ring seat and bears against the upper surface of the ring 2|. In the second form of the device, the end portion 48 of the plunger 41 serves the same purpose as the ring seat member 22 of the earlier forms. It bears against the upper surface of the ring 46. In the second form of the device, the plunger cap 5| is separate from and movable with respect to the plunger 41. I

Normally the member 5| is in contact with the wall 41 of the plunger of the second form of the device, but the two parts are not positively fastened together.

Although I have shown an operative form of my invention, it will be recognized that many changes in the form, shape and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and my showing is, therefore, to be taken as, in a sense, diagrammatic.

The use and operation of this invention are as follows:

The principle of operation of the device of Figures 1 and 4 is, of course, the same. The difference is that in the device of Figure 1 oil enters the chamber above the ring seat member 22 through the alined passages, as indicated on the left of the drawing. As the assembly reciprocates, the rings 20, 2|, floating between the flange I1 and the ring seat member 22, move back and forth in that space. When the ring 2| is down, oil may enter into the space below the member 22, and from there it may pass into the chamber below the retaining member 16 so that the member is filled with oil. When pressure is applied, the oil, being uncompressible, gives a solid means for transmitting power, because when the ring 2i is against the member 22 it serves as a valve to close the chamber and prevent the escape of oil. The situation is much the same with respect to Figure 4, except that in this case the oil enters the barrel 35 from above through the apertures 53.

Since the rings 2i and 46 are split rings, there is some opportunity for leakage of oil back through the space between the two ends of the split ring. As temperature rises, the rings tend to expand and to reduce the width of the split and so to minimize leakage past the split when the ring 2| or 46 is seated. As pressure is applied and relieved, compressing and relieving the springs l5 and 40 in the usual manner, a pumping action results which draws oil from the upper chamber into the lower and gradually fills that chamber, the only escape thereafter being by leakage between the ends of the split ring.

I claim:

1. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylindrical body closed at one end and open at the other, a partition member extending transversely of said body and dividing it into upper and lower oil chambers, there being an oil bypass around said partition member between said chambers, a valve ring in floating engagement with the inner peripheral wall of said body adapted to engage said partition member to resist movement of oil from the lower to the upper chamber but to permit movement in the opposite direction, a flanged yoke interposed between said partition member and the bottom of said body, and yielding means abutting on the bottom of said body and the underside of said flanged yoke to bias said partition member to upper position.

2. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylindrical body closed at one end and open at the other, a partition member extending transversely of said body and dividing it into upper and lower oil chambers, there being an oil bypass around said partition member between said chambers, a valve ring in floating engagement drical with the inner peripheral wall 'of said body adapted toengage said partition member to resist movement of oil from the lower to the upper chamber but to permit movement in the opposite direction, a flanged yoke interposed between said partition member and the bottom of said body, yielding means abutting on the bottom of said body and the underside of said flanged yoke to bias said partition member to upper position, and a stop ring engaging the inner wall of said cylindrical body in register with the flange on said yoke adapted to limit the bottoming of said yoke and partition member.

3. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylindrical body closed at one end and open at the other, a partition member extending transversely of said body and dividing it into and lower oil chambers, there being an oil bypass around said partition member between said chambers, a valve ring in floating engagement with the inner peripheral wall of said body adapted to engage said partition member to resist movement of oil from the lower to the upper chamber but to permit movement in the opposite direction, a flanged yoke interposed between said partition member and the bottom of said body, and yielding means abutting on the bottom of said body and the underside of said flanged yoke to bias said partition member to upper position, said yoke being apertured to permit free movement of oil therethrough.

4. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylindrical body closed at one end and open at the other, a partition member extending transversely of said body and dividing it into upper and lower oil chambers, there being an oil bypass around said partition member between said chambers,

inner peripheral wall of said body adapted to engage said partition member to resist movement of oil from the lower to the upper chamber but to permit movement in the opposite direction, and a metal cylinder associated with said partition member engaging the inner peripheral wall of said hollow cylinder to enclose said upper oil chamber.

5. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylinbody closed at one end and open at the other, a partition member extending transversely of said body and dividing it into upper and lower oil chambers, there being an oil bypass around said partition member between said chambers, a valve ring in floating engagement with the inner peripheral wall of said body adapted to engage said partition member to resist movement of oil from the lower to the upper chamber but to permit movement in the opposite direction, a metal cylinder associated with said partition member engaging the inner pewall of said hollow cylinder to enclose said upper oil chamber, and means for supplying oil to said upper chamber.

6. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylindrical body, a metal sleeve slidable longitudinally of the inner wall of said body, a valve actuating push rod, a driving connection between it and said sleeve, a partition member extending transversely of said cylindrical body and dividing said body into an upper and lower oil chamber, said upper chamber being within said metal sleeve, a bypass between the two chambers within the inner periphery of the inner wall of said hollow cylindrical body, and a yoke within said lower oil chamber flanged to engage the inner wall of said hollow cylindrical body.

7. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylindrical body, a metal sleeve slidable longitudinally of the inner wall of said body, a valve actuating push rod, a driving connection between it and said sleeve, a partition member extending ber, said upper chamber being within said metal sleeve, a ypass between the two chambers within the inner periphery of the inner wall of said hollow cylindrical body, a yoke within said lower engage the inner wall of said hollow cylindrical body, and a spring biasing said yoke upwardly against said partition member.

8. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylindrical body, a metal sleeve slidable longitudinally of the inner wall of said body, a valve actuating said sleeve, a partition member extending transversely of said cylindrical body and dividing the body into an upper and lower oil chamber, said upper chamber being within said metal sleeve, said partition member being integral with said sleeve, a bypass between the two chambers within the inner periphery of the inner wall of said hollow cylindrical body, a yoke within said lower oil chamber flanged to engage the inner wall of said hollow cylindrical body, and a spring biasing said yoke upwardly against said partition member.

9. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylindrical body, a metal sleeve slidable longitudinally of the inner wall of said body, a valve actuating push rod, a driving connection between it and said sleeve, a partition member extending transversely of said cylindrical body and dividing the body into an upper and lower oil chamber, said upper chamber being within said metal sleeve, a bypass between the two chambers within the of the inner Wall of said hollow yoke upwardly against said partition member, and a ring within said hollow cylindrical body in register with the flange on said yoke to limit the downward excursion of said partition member.

10. In a hydraulic valve lifter, a hollow cylindrical body, a metal sleeve slidable longitudinally of the inner wall of said body, a valve actuating push rod, a driving connection between it and said sleeve, a partition member extending transversely of said cylindrical body and dividing the body into an upper and lower oil chamber,

said upper chamber being within said metal sleeve, said partition member being integral with said sleeve, a bypass between the two chambers within the inner periphery of the inner wall of said hollow cylindrical body, a yoke within said lower oil chamber flanged to engage the inner wall of said hollow cylindrical body, a spring biasing said yoke upwardly against said partition member, and a ring within said hollow cylindrical body in register with the flange on said yoke to limit the downward excursion of said partition member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,869,383 Mackenzie Aug. 2, 1932 2,185,991 Vorhies et al. Oct. 21, 1941 

